2009 Triumph Speed Triple Review

Introduction

A good thing to start with is the bike’s distinctively tuned and sounding three cylinder engine. This purrs quietly in between the aluminum frame’s tubular bars, but the magic throttle twist determines the unleashing of immense amounts of low-end torque, a great rush all through the mid-range as well as a healthy top end. Being used to impressively well balanced four-cylinder engines, we had serious concerns regarding the smooth operating capabilities and levels of vibrations transmitted to key elements such as the handlebars and footpegs, but as soon as we heard that 1050cc engine whistling we knew there’s nothing wrong about it. Still, the strongest confirmation came when, on the bike, you could barely feel the powerplant’s vibrations even when the high revs turned the exhaust noise into pure symphony.

Because the engine proved being a great performer both on the track and on public roads, the British motorcycle manufacturer sticks to the 130bhp at 9,250rpm and especially to the 77ft.lbf delivered at 7,550rpm. No doubt about it, much to do with the impressive performance figures has the multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection system while the Keihin ECU ensures quick starting at all engine temperatures as well as good mileage.

2009 Triumph Speed Triple

Street Triple’s bigger sibling has a beautifully crafted frame that was also built with performance in mind, but most riders find the fully adjustable 43mm upside down forks and rear monoshock the sweetest features of the great all around chassis. You simply can’t go without performance brakes on this thing and we believe that the twin Brembo radial front caliper four pad, four piston units, with a radial master cylinder does the job of offering highly effective stopping power. This makes the Speed Triple a great machine to perform stoppies on despite the 416 lbs dry weight.

Overall, the bike is very compact and built around the rider, just like a supersports model, the only distinguishing factor being the bold streetfighter look which simply couldn’t get any better than it actually was.

2008 Triumph Speed Triple History

Competition

2009 Yamaha FZ1 / ABS

Triumph made no concessions in what concerns their Speed Triple so it is recommended to go and search a proper four-cylinder alternative for it and not just comply with the BMW R1200R and the Ducati Monster S2R 1000. Does the 2009 Yamaha FZ1 / ABS sound like the appropriate thing? We’re sure it does and not only because the naked FZ1’s design has evolved a lot in these past few years, but mostly because of the fuel-injected 998cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, forward-inclined parallel four-cylinder DOHC engine delivering similar performances; 150hp (measured at crank) at 11,000 rpm and 106 Nm at 8,000 rpm. This engine is tuned to perform in the same way as the Triumph and that extra piston sure makes a difference despite the fairly smaller displacement.

1000cc urban sports are rare bread so mentioning the FZ1 is pretty much the Japanese alternative to British style and performance.

Exterior

2009 Triumph Speed Triple

As much as Triumph would increase the displacement of their engines and refine them in order to match the performance of bikes such as the FZ1, style is the category they’re leading and we can only anticipate things will be like this for a very long time. A good argument to back up the previous affirmation is the fact that Triumph has the talent of touching a rider’s sensible spot from the very first glance that this gets of the bike.

So while the Japanese aim towards the Italian standards in what concerns their supersports models design, most of their nakeds have ended up featuring the distinctive bodywork features of the British Speed Triple, their first naked urban sports model and a benchmark for the industry.

The bike is characterized by the two streetfighter headlights and the above positioned instrumentation. Now, this is a part that the Japanese would have contoured very well, but they’d be wrong as the Speed Triple looks one-of-a-kind just like this. The gas tank is positioned within the limits of the tubular aluminum frame and the rear end is mostly composed by the 32.1 inches high seat that was nicely shaped to look an actual part of the bodywork while offering good comfort.

A nice and most likely difficult to achieve feature is the three-into-two underseat exhaust and while we’re at the rear end, it’s impossible not to mention the stylish multi-spoke alloy wheel supported by the single-sided swingarm. The wheels, frame as well as engine and transmission are all covered in black, be it matte or shiny, and even the front forks and Magura tapered aluminum handlebars are black anodized.

The attention to detail and the overall refined look ensure that the Speed Triple looks impeccable no matter the color scheme elected. This can be Blazing Orange, Matte Black, Fusion White or Jet Black.

2009 Triumph Speed Triple

2008 Triumph Speed Triple Test Ride

Price

Triumph may have not upgraded the 2009 Speed Triple, but the bike is worth the MSRP starting at $11,299 in most opinions of the bike’s admirers. We’re not shocked either.

Conclusion

2009 Triumph Speed Triple

In the end, the Triumph Speed Triple, be it a 2008 or a 2009 model year is just a bike bringing enormous benefits to an inspired manufacturer which isn’t even needed to upgrade it in any way. Still, we’re hoping for a 2010 “R” model, just like the Street Triple 675 R.

 

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